Technology for SLTs - evidence and research

Finding evidence

Access research articles through our RCSLT Journals Collection and more resources to support using evidence-based practice in our Research Centre.

Systematic reviews

Cicerone, K. D. et al, (2011). Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: updated review of the literature from 2003 through 2008. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92(4), 519-530.

De Joode, E. et al, (2010). Efficacy and usability of assistive technology for patients with cognitive deficits: a systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 24(8), 701-714.

Zheng, C. et al, (2016). Effect of computer therapy in aphasia: a systematic review. Aphasiology, 30(2-3): 211-244.

Journal articles

Boman, I.L. et al, (2010). Support in everyday activities with a home-based electronic memory aid for persons with memory impairments. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 5(5), 339-350.

Brandenburg, C. et al, (2013). Mobile computing technology and aphasia: An integrated review of accessibility and potential uses.

Aphasiology, 27(4), 444-461.

Culley, C. & Evans, J.J. (2010). SMS text messaging as a means of increasing recall of therapy goals in brain injury rehabilitation: a single-blind within-subjects trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation: an international journal, 20(1), 103-119.

Cherney, L. R. (2010). Oral reading for language in aphasia (ORLA): Evaluating the efficacy of computer-delivered therapy in chronic non-fluent aphasia. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 17(6), 423-431.

Cherney, L. R., & Halper, A. S. (2008). Novel technology for treating individuals with aphasia and concomitant cognitive deficits. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 15(6), 542-554.

Choi, Y. H. et al, (2015). A Telerehabilitation Approach for Chronic Aphasia Following Stroke. Telemedicine and e-Health.

Corwins, M. & Wells, M. (2014). Computer-assisted anomia treatment for persons with chronic aphasia: generalization to untrained words. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 21(2), 149-163.

Des Roches, C. A. et al, (2014). Effectiveness of an impairment-based individualized rehabilitation program using an iPad based software platform. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8.

Dowds, M. M., Lee, P., Sheer, J. B., O’Neil-Pirozzi, T. M., Xenopoulos-Oddsson, A., Goldstein, R., Zainea, K. L. & Glenn, M. B. (2011). Electronic reminding technology following traumatic brain injury: effects on timely task completion. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 26 (5), 339-347.

Finch, E. et al, (2013). Using computer-based therapy as an adjunct to standard anomia therapy. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology, 15(1), 2-6.

Gentry, T. (2014). Mobile Technologies as Cognitive-Behavioral Aids. Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 23(3), 148-156

Holland, A. L. et al, (2012). How to use apps clinically in the treatment of aphasia. Seminars in Speech and Language, 33(3), 223-233.

Hoover. E.L. & Carney.A. (2014). Integrating the iPad into an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program. Seminars in Speech and Language, 35(1), 25-37.

Howell, V., Thoppil, A., Mariyaselvan, M., Jones, R., Young, H., Sharma, S., Blunt, M. & Young, P. (2014). Disinfecting the iPad: evaluating effective methods. Journal of Hospital Infections, 87 (2), 77-83.

Kelly, H., Kennedy, F., Britton, H., McGuire, G. & Law, J. (2016). Narrowing the “digital divide” — facilitating access to computer technology to enhance the lives of those with aphasia: a feasibility study. Aphasiology, 30, (2-3), 133- 63.

Kurland, J. et al, (2014). iPractice: piloting the effectiveness of a tablet-based home practice program in aphasia treatment. Seminars in Speech and Language, 35(1), 51-63.

Mahendra, N. et al, (2005). Evidence-based practice recommendations for working with individuals with dementia: Computer-assisted cognitive interventions (CACIs). Journal of Medical Speech Language Pathology, 13(4), 35-44.

Menger, F., Morris, J. & Salis, C.(2016). Aphasia in an Internet age: wider perspectives on digital inclusion. Aphasiology, 30 (2-3), 112- 32.

Palmer, R., Enderby, P. & Paterson, G. (2013). Using Computers to Enable Self-Management of Aphasia Therapy Exercises for Word Finding: The Patient and Carer Perspective. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 48 (5), 508- 21.

Palmer, R., Enderby, P., Cooper, C., Latimer, N., Julious, S.,  Paterson, G., Dimairo, M., Dixon, S., Mortley, J., Hilton, R., Delaney, A. & Hughes, H. (2012). Computer Therapy compared with usual care for people with long-standing aphasia poststroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Stroke, 43 (7), 1904-1911.

Ramsberger, G., & Messamer, P. (2014). Best practices for incorporating non-aphasiaspecific apps into therapy. Seminars in speech and language, 35(1), 17-24.

Stark, B. C., & Warburton, E. A. (2016). Improved language in chronic aphasia after selfdelivered iPad speech therapy. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 29, 1-14.

Steele, R. D., Baird, A., McCall, D. & Haynes, L. (2014). Combining teletherapy and on-line language exercises in the treatment of chronic aphasia: An Outcome Study. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 6 (2), 3- 20.

Swales, M. A., Hill, A. J. & Finch, E. (2015). Feature rich, but user-friendly: Speech pathologists’ preferences for computer-based aphasia therapy. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 18 (4), 315- 328.

Szabo, G., & Dittelman, J. (2014). Using mobile technology with individuals with aphasia: native iPad features and everyday apps. Seminars in speech and language, 35:(1), 5-16.

Thompson, C. K., Choy, J. J., Holland, A., & Cole, R. (2010). Sentactics®: Computerautomated treatment of underlying forms. Aphasiology, 24(10), 1242-1266.

Van De Sandt-Koenderman, WME. (2011). Aphasia rehabilitation and the role of computer technology: can we keep up with the times? International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 13(1), 21-27.

Woolf, C., Caute, A., Haigh, Z. & Galliers, J. (2015). A comparison of remote therapy, face to face therapy and an attention control intervention for people with aphasia: a quasi-randomised controlled feasibility study. Clinical Rehabilitation, 30(4), 359-373.

Other

Aptus speech & language therapy, includes posts on app-related topics and recommended apps.

ASHA (2018). What To Ask When Evaluating Any Procedure, Product, or Program. [online].

CALL Scotland (2014). Ipads for communication access, literacy and learning. [online].

Cann, K. (2015). Communication in a digital world. RCSLT Bulletin, June 2015.

Closing the gap, an assistive technology blog highlighting products, tools and strategies for individuals with disabilities.

Curtis, N. & Sweeney, S. (2012). APP-titude: App-enabled telepractice. The ASHA Leader, October 2012: vol 17 (online only).

DeCurtis, L, L. & Ferrer, D. (2011). Toddlers and technology: teaching the techniques. The ASHA Leader, 16.

Dunham,G. (2011). The future at Hand: mobile devices and apps in clinical practice. The ASHA Leader, April 2011; vol 16 (online only).

Geek SLP (2018). Speech and language therapy apps. (online only.)

Gosnell, J. (2011). Apps: An Emerging Tools for SLPs: A plethora of apps can be used to develop expressive, receptive, and other language skills. The ASHA Leader. October 2011, vol 16 (online only), 10-13.

Gosnell, J., Costello, J. & Shane, H. (2011). Using a clinical approach to answer, “What communication apps should we use?”. SIG 12 Perspectives on AAC, 20, 87- 96.

Raz, M. G. (2018). Apps for speech therapy (online only).

Sidock, J. (2011). Critical review: Is the integration of mobile device apps into speech and language therapy effective clinical practice.

Sutton, M. (2012, July 03). APP-titude: Apps for Brain Injury Rehab. The ASHA Leader, July 2012, 17, 21.

Sutton, M. (2012). App-titude: Apps to Aid Aphasia. The ASHA Leader, June 2012, 17, 32.

Sweeney, S. (2012). APP-titude: Apps That Crack Curriculum Content. The ASHA Leader, August 2012, 17, 44.

Vincent, T. (2011). Ways to evaluate educational apps

Research impact case studies

Find a full list of case studies relevant to speech and language therapy in our Research Centre.

Research priorities

As a relatively recent development, technology in speech and language therapy is in area ripe for research.

Visit the RCSLT Research centre to find out more about funding for your research idea.

The RCSLT, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) is working on a project to determine the top priorities for new research in speech and language therapy.